Mark Lovell: Why I'm making the case for Schumacher's return

The Schuey fits, according to the Pilgrims Podcast regular

Apologies for the lack of newsletters this past few weeks. As soon as I assumed to give my seal of approval to Project Wazza, it all went south. And while we’ve experienced some magic moments at Home Park, the performances have been dire, and the past week wasn’t even that good.

It’s hard to run a newsletter in the Championship when often three games in eight days can change the picture so rapidly.

Back in my last newsletter, I asked to see evidence of addressing our shortcomings. What we’ve seen has been a scattergun approach to personnel, formation, systems, and style of play from one game to the next.

While the board has backed Rooney — and Simon Hallett stated he will be supported — these next two home games are huge. Lose them, and lose them with the kind of tepid disorganization seen in recent matches, and I imagine that will be short-lived.

I have my own thoughts on the current challenges, and the revelations from this week. But today I’m turning One Team In Devon over to Mark Lovell, from Pilgrims Pod, on his ideas for what’s next. It might not be to everyone’s tastes — but I’d love to see a response in the comments.

James

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Wayne Rooney's tenure at Plymouth Argyle is teetering on the brink following a disastrous week that has left the Pilgrims languishing near the bottom of the Championship table.

Back-to-back humiliations—6-1 at Norwich City and 4-0 at Bristol City—have heaped immense pressure on Rooney, raising serious doubts about his ability to salvage Argyle’s season and his own managerial career.

The shambolic nature of these away defeats, regular defensive collapses, and the inability to register a single shot against Leeds earlier this month have intensified scrutiny of his managerial approach.

While Argyle’s away form has been dismal, their home performances—though yielding precious points—have been largely unconvincing since the excellent win against Luton in October.

The late win over Portsmouth and the last-gasp escape acts against Preston and Watford, while celebrated, arguably flattered the team.

Fans are growing increasingly aware that even Argyle's "better" results don’t reflect a team capable of performing at the level required to sustain Championship survival. A serious look at the underlying data on Argyle this season tells its own story: by most metrics, Argyle are the worst team in the division.

Therefore, the upcoming home fixtures against Oxford United and Swansea City are pivotal for Rooney’s future. While the ongoing injury crisis, including the absence of key player Morgan Whittaker, provides some mitigation, another humiliating loss—especially to fellow relegation strugglers Oxford—could render Rooney’s position untenable.

Amid this turmoil, whispers of a potential return for Steven Schumacher offer hope.

While controversial, for many, his return would represent a pragmatic solution to the mounting crisis and a chance for the Pilgrims to rediscover the stability that characterised his tenure.

Fan discontent is growing as Argyle’s weaknesses, particularly defensively, remain unaddressed. Simon Hallett, the club’s chairman, publicly backed Rooney during a Cornish Supporters' Association forum, stating:

"We are not thinking about getting rid of him… but are discussing how we can support him."

However, the dreaded "vote of confidence" rarely reassures in football. It evokes memories of Ian Foster last Easter—where public backing was swiftly followed by his dismissal.

The Schuey fits

Schumacher’s departure to Stoke City last season (via helicopter) was a bitter pill for Argyle fans to swallow. It fractured relationships within the club, particularly with Director of Football Neil Dewsnip.

Yet, time heals most wounds, and it is understood that any lingering tensions and animosity have now been resolved. Schumacher is thought to be open to the idea of returning to Home Park.

During his time at Argyle, Schumacher delivered not only results but also a sense of identity. His tactical acumen and rapport with players helped the team achieve cohesion and success—qualities sorely missing under Rooney’s reign. Currently available, Schumacher remains the ideal candidate to reignite the Pilgrims’ fortunes.

Naysayers will point out that Schumacher inherited a squad he had helped to shape, knew intimately, and which was tailor-made to his style of play.

However, after an initial rocky period at Stoke, he transformed a team (albeit of better quality players) into a well-drilled attacking unit, guiding them to safety in short order. Schumacher has shown he can work with struggling squads and implement his ideas swiftly.

Another concern is that Schumacher would inherit the same injury and personnel challenges as Rooney. Yet Schumacher’s acumen is proven, and he would likely make more of this squad, reversing the dreadful attacking stats far quicker than the current figurehead.

Steven Schumacher’s return could provide the reset that Plymouth Argyle so desperately needs. His past Championship-winning success at Home Park offers a proven blueprint for navigating the current crisis. Schumacher’s familiarity with the club could restore confidence and unity during these turbulent times.

However, for a second stint to succeed, Schumacher must address the emotional fallout from his departure. Acknowledging the hurt caused and explaining his renewed commitment to Argyle could transform apprehension into optimism.

While Rooney has a fleeting opportunity to reverse his fortunes, Schumacher’s shadow looms large over Home Park.

In football, timing is everything. For Argyle, now may be the perfect moment for a reunion with a proven leader who can guide them out of peril and back onto a stable path.